Patsy Rettig Eastman
courtesy photo
Patsy Rettig Eastman
POLSON — Patsy Joan Rettig Eastman was born in La Habra, California, the first child of Bernie and Effie (Siebe) Rettig. Patsy passed away July 6, 2020, at her home in Polson. She attended grade school in La Habra, and then high school in Fullerton. She met Ormand Eastman in 1949, and they married in December of that year. Four children were born to the couple. They lived in Southern California until the early 1960s when they moved north to Sunnyvale. Pat worked in electronics assembly and testing for several years.
In 1971, they moved to Montana, and after a short time, they bought the Proctor Store. When the Proctor Postmaster retired, Pat was appointed to that position. She enjoyed running the store and serving as Postmaster for 21 years. After retirement, the open road called, and the Eastmans followed it to Yuma, Arizona, where they worked part time in an RV park for several winters.
Pat learned music as a child, (her mother was a piano teacher), and enjoyed playing music the rest of her life. She began playing the organ for Dayton Presbyterian Church in 1972 and continued playing there until her death. Concurrently, for the past four years, Pat was the musician for West Shore Community Church in Big Arm. She was also a member of the Northwest Montana Accordion Association for a number of years. Early on in her life, Pat began learning needle-work from her mother. This turned into a life-long hobby. She particularly enjoyed knitting hats for newborns, which she donated to St. Joseph Hospital.
Pat is survived by her husband, Ormand; and three children: Linda Williams, Kenneth Eastman and Susan Hunter. There are also three grandchildren: Raymond Williams, Amber Williams and Reka Hulford. She was the great-grandmother of seven and great great-grandmother of two.
Pat was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Julianna Eastman; a grandson, Gene Hulford; her parents; two brothers, Jack and Jerry Rettig; and her sister, Bonnie Rettig Barker.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
